The bruises are hidden beneath makeup and long sleeves. The emotional wounds run deeper than any physical injury. When someone you love lives in fear of their partner’s anger, when children witness violence in what should be their safest space, when religious language about submission and forgiveness is twisted to justify abuse, you might wonder where God stands in these devastating situations.
Domestic violence occurs in Christian homes at rates similar to the general population, yet too often victims are told to pray harder, submit more, or simply forgive and forget. This response not only fails to protect victims but contradicts Scripture’s clear teachings about the value of human life, the call to protect the vulnerable, and God’s heart for justice. The Bible never endorses abuse in any form, and it provides guidance for both survivors seeking safety and communities learning to respond appropriately.
These verses don’t minimize the complexity of domestic violence or offer simple solutions, but they reveal a God who sees every act of cruelty, advocates for the oppressed, and calls His people to create safe havens for those fleeing danger.
Bible Verses for Addressing Domestic Violence
1. Psalm 82:3-4 – Defend the Weak and the Fatherless
Defend the weak and the fatherless; uphold the cause of the poor and the oppressed. Rescue the weak and the needy; deliver them from the hand of the wicked.
New International Version (NIV)
2. Isaiah 1:17 – Learn to Do Right; Seek Justice
Learn to do good; seek justice, correct oppression; bring justice to the fatherless, plead the widow’s cause.
English Standard Version (ESV)
3. Proverbs 31:8-9 – Speak Up for Those Who Cannot Speak
Speak up for those who cannot speak for themselves; ensure justice for those being crushed. Yes, speak up for the poor and helpless, and see that they get justice.
New Living Translation (NLT)
4. Psalm 10:17-18 – You Hear the Desire of the Afflicted
Lord, You have heard the desire of the humble; You will prepare their heart; You will cause Your ear to hear, to do justice to the fatherless and the oppressed, that the man of the earth may oppress no more.
New King James Version (NKJV)
5. Malachi 2:16 – The Man Who Hates and Divorces His Wife
“If he hates and divorces his wife,” says the Lord God of Israel, “he covers his garment with injustice,” says the Lord of Armies. “So watch yourselves carefully, and do not act treacherously.”
Christian Standard Bible (CSB)
6. 1 Corinthians 13:4-5 – Love Is Patient, Love Is Kind
Love is patient, love is kind and is not jealous; love does not brag and is not arrogant, does not act unbecomingly; it does not seek its own, is not provoked, does not take into account a wrong suffered.
New American Standard Bible (NASB)
7. Ephesians 5:28-29 – Husbands Ought to Love Their Wives
So ought men to love their wives as their own bodies. He that loveth his wife loveth himself. For no man ever yet hated his own flesh; but nourisheth and cherisheth it, even as the Lord the church.
King James Version (KJV)
8. Colossians 3:19 – Husbands, Love Your Wives
Husbands, love your wives and never treat them harshly.
New Revised Standard Version (NRSV)
9. Psalm 11:5 – The Lord Examines the Righteous
GOD tests the righteous and the wicked, and his soul hates the lover of violence.
The Message (MSG)
10. 1 Peter 3:7 – Husbands, Live with Your Wives in an Understanding Way
In the same way, you husbands should live with your wives in an understanding way, as with [someone] weaker, since she is a woman; and show her honor and respect as a fellow heir of the grace of life, so that your prayers will not be hindered or ineffective.
Amplified Bible (AMP)
11. Psalm 9:9 – The Lord Is a Refuge for the Oppressed
The Lord will be a refuge for the oppressed, a refuge in times of trouble.
New English Translation (NET)
12. Isaiah 61:1 – To Bind Up the Brokenhearted
The Spirit of the Lord God is on me, because the Lord has anointed me to bring good news to the poor. He has sent me to heal the brokenhearted, to proclaim liberty to the captives and freedom to the prisoners.
Holman Christian Standard Bible (HCSB)
13. Proverbs 6:16-17 – Six Things the Lord Hates
Here are six things GOD hates, and one more that he loathes with a passion: eyes that are arrogant, a tongue that lies, hands that murder the innocent.
Contemporary English Version (CEV)
14. Matthew 19:3-9 – Some Pharisees Came to Him to Test Him
Some Pharisees came to Jesus, wanting to trap him. So they asked, “Does our Law allow a man to divorce his wife for whatever reason he wishes?” Jesus answered, “Haven’t you read the scripture that says that in the beginning the Creator made people male and female?”
Good News Translation (GNT)
15. Galatians 3:28 – There Is Neither Jew nor Gentile
In Christ, there is no difference between Jew and Greek, slave and free person, male and female. You are all the same in Christ Jesus.
New Century Version (NCV)
16. Romans 12:18 – If It Is Possible, Live at Peace
If possible, so far as it depends on you, live peaceably with all.
International Standard Version (ISV)
17. Matthew 5:9 – Blessed Are the Peacemakers
Blessed are the peacemakers, for they will be called sons of God.
Tree of Life Version (TLV)
18. Psalm 34:18 – The Lord Is Close to the Brokenhearted
The Lord is near to the brokenhearted and saves the crushed in spirit.
Lexham English Bible (LEB)
19. 2 Timothy 3:2-4 – People Will Be Lovers of Themselves
For men will be lovers of self, lovers of money, boastful, arrogant, revilers, disobedient to parents, unthankful, unholy, without natural affection, unforgiving, slanderers, without self-control, fierce, no lovers of good.
World English Bible (WEB)
20. 1 John 4:18 – There Is No Fear in Love
There is no fear in love: but perfect love casteth out fear, because fear hath punishment; and he that feareth is not made perfect in love.
American Standard Version (ASV)
21. Psalm 140:1 – Rescue Me, Lord, from Evildoers
Deliver me, O Lord, from evil men; preserve me from violent men.
Revised Standard Version (RSV)
22. James 1:20 – Human Anger Does Not Produce the Righteousness
because human anger does not produce the righteousness that God desires.
New American Bible (NAB)
23. Proverbs 22:5 – Thorns and Snares Are in the Way of the Froward
Thornes and snares are in the way of the froward: he that keepeth his soule, shall be farre from them.
Douay-Rheims Bible (DRB)
24. Matthew 18:6 – Whoever Causes One of These Little Ones to Stumble
But whoso shall cause one of these little ones which believe on me to stumble, it is profitable for him that a great millstone should be hanged about his neck, and that he should be sunk in the depth of the sea.
English Revised Version (ERV)
25. Psalm 55:22 – Cast Your Cares on the Lord
Cast on Jehovah that which He hath given thee, And He doth sustain thee, He doth not suffer for ever the moving of the righteous.
Young’s Literal Translation (YLT)
26. 1 Corinthians 7:15 – If the Unbeliever Leaves, Let It Be So
But if the unbeliever depart, let them depart: the brother or the sister is not bound in such cases; but God has called us in peace.
Darby Translation (DARBY)
27. Romans 13:4 – For the One in Authority Is God’s Servant
For he is the minister of God to thee for good. But if thou do that which is evil, be afraid; for he beareth not the sword in vain: for he is the minister of God, a revenger to execute wrath upon him that doeth evil.
Weymouth New Testament (WNT)
28. Psalm 27:5 – For in the Time of Trouble
For in the tyme of trouble he schal hyde me in his tabernacle; in the pryuyte of his tabernacle he schal hyde me.
Wycliffe Bible (WYC)
29. Matthew 10:28 – Do Not Be Afraid of Those Who Kill the Body
And feare ye not them which kill the bodie, but are not able to kill the soule: but rather feare him, which is able to destroy both soule and bodie in hell.
Geneva Bible (GNV)
30. Psalm 46:1 – God Is Our Refuge and Strength
God is oure hope and strength: a very present helpe in trouble.
Bishop’s Bible
31. Luke 4:18 – To Set the Oppressed Free
The sprete of the lorde vpon me, because he hath annoynted me: to preache the gospell to the povre he hath sent me: and to heale the broken harted: to preache delyverauce to the captive, and syght to the blynde.
Tyndale Bible
32. Psalm 18:2 – The Lord Is My Rock
Jehovah is my Rock and my fortress and my deliverer, my God and my strength in whom I trust, my shield and the horn of my salvation, my high tower.
The Living Bible (TLB)
33. Isaiah 54:4 – Do Not Be Afraid; You Will Not Be Put to Shame
Don’t yield to fear, for you will not be ashamed. Don’t be discouraged, for you will not be disgraced. You will forget the shame you felt in your younger days, and you will no longer remember the disgrace of your past.
The Passion Translation (TPT)
34. Psalm 31:15 – My Times Are in Your Hands
My future is in Your hands. Rescue me from those who hunt me down and persecute me.
The Voice Bible (VOICE)
35. Matthew 11:28 – Come to Me, All You Who Are Weary
Come to me, all you who are tired and are carrying heavy loads. I will give you rest.
New International Reader’s Version (NIrV)
Our Thoughts On What the Bible Says About Addressing Domestic Violence
Scripture’s approach to domestic violence is unambiguous: God abhors violence and calls His people to protect the vulnerable. The Bible never endorses abuse in marriage or any relationship, despite how some verses about submission have been twisted to silence victims. When we examine biblical love, we see that it’s characterized by patience, kindness, and protection, not control, fear, or violence. True biblical submission is mutual and occurs within relationships marked by safety and respect.
What’s particularly striking is how consistently Scripture calls believers to defend the oppressed and speak up for those who cannot speak for themselves. Domestic violence thrives in silence and isolation, making the church’s response critical. When we fail to address abuse appropriately, we become complicit in the oppression that God explicitly condemns throughout His Word.
The Bible also provides guidance for difficult situations, including Paul’s teaching that believers are not bound to remain in marriages where unbelieving spouses create impossible conditions. Safety isn’t optional in God’s design for relationships. While the Bible values marriage highly, it values human life and dignity even more, calling us to create communities where everyone can flourish without fear.
Say This Prayer
Heavenly Father, my heart is heavy for those who suffer violence in their own homes, where they should feel safest. I lift up victims of domestic abuse who live in fear, children who witness violence, and survivors working to rebuild their lives. Surround them with Your protection and provide them with the safety, resources, and support they desperately need.
Give wisdom and courage to friends, family members, and community leaders who encounter domestic violence. Help us to respond with both compassion and practical action, knowing when to listen, when to help someone safety plan, and when to connect them with professional resources. Remove the shame and stigma that keep victims trapped in silence.
Transform the hearts of those who commit violence. Help them to see the devastating impact of their actions and to seek genuine change through accountability and professional help. Protect children from the trauma of witnessing violence and help them to heal from what they’ve experienced.
Use Your church to become a sanctuary for those fleeing abuse. Help us to address the ways that Scripture has been misused to silence victims, and give us wisdom to create communities where everyone can experience the safety, love, and dignity You intend for all relationships.
In Jesus’ name, Amen.
Evang. Anabelle Thompson is the founder of Believers Refuge, a Scripture-based resource that helps Christians to find biblical guidance for life’s challenges.
With over 15 years of ministry experience and a decade of dedicated Bible study, she creates content that connects believers with relevant Scripture for their daily struggles.
Her work has reached over 76,000 monthly readers (which is projected to reach 100,000 readers by the end of 2025) seeking practical faith applications, biblical encouragement, and spiritual guidance rooted in God’s Word.
She writes from personal experience, having walked through seasons of waiting, breakthrough, and spiritual growth that inform her teaching.
Evang. Thompson brings 12 years of active ministry and evangelism experience, along with over 10 years of systematic Bible study and theological research.
As a former small group leader and Sunday school teacher, she has published over 200 biblical resources and devotional studies.
She specializes in applying Scripture to everyday life challenges and regularly studies the original Hebrew and Greek texts for a deeper biblical understanding.